The ECOWAS Election Observation
Mission to Liberia has released its preliminary report on Tuesday’s
presidential runoff polls in the country, declaring it as peaceful, transparent
and fair.

Head of the mission and former
President of Ghana, Mr John Mahama, presented the report at a joint press conference
with the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) in Monrovia on
Wednesday evening.

However, Mahama was quick to note
that the declaration was limited to the point of vote counting.

“The ECOWAS Election Observation
Mission noted with satisfaction the peaceful conduct of the Dec. 26, 2017 poll
in the Republic of Liberia.

“Most of the polling places
visited opened not later than 15 minutes after the official opening time of 8
a.m., with an effective presence of representatives of both parties (CDC and
UP) in all the polling places covered.

“On the whole, the processing of
voters and the casting of ballots followed acceptable standards and were in
accordance with the laws and procedures governing elections in the country”, he
said.

The mission appealed to the two
candidates in the runoff and their supporters to accept the will of the
electoral, and explore legal means of seeking redress in the event of genuine
grievances.

While congratulating Liberians
for their patience, determination and peaceful conduct so far, the ECOWAS team
appealed to them to sustain the spirit until the end of the process.

In its preliminary report
presented by its Head of mission, Mr Erastus Mwencha, the AU team said the
runoff was conducted in an orderly and efficient manner and in a peaceful
atmosphere.

“The mission concludes that
despite the legal challenges faced by NEC, compounded by the limited timeline
to prepare, the Dec. 26, 2017 presidential runoff election was conducted in an
orderly and efficient manner, within a calm and peaceful environment.

“The mission commends all
Liberians for their patience during the legal challenges, which demonstrated
their strong commitment to peace and democratic consolidation.

“All stakeholders should continue
to strive for a sustained peace and peaceful transition and democratic
consolidation.’’

Like its ECOWAS counterpart, the
AU mission also urged stakeholders dissatisfied with the outcome of the runoff
to seek redress only through legal means.